First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria elects new leadership at inaugural meeting on Dja Dja Wurrung Country
First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria elects new leadership at inaugural meeting on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
Newly-elected Members of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria have chosen their new leadership team at the Assembly’s inaugural meeting held this week on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Bendigo.
Meriki Onus (they/them) from the Gunnai and Gunditjmara mobs and Dja Dja Wurrung, Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa, Waywurru, Barapa Barapa, Wergaia and Wiradjuri man Djaran Murray-Jackson (he/him) were elected to serve as Assembly Co-chairs.
Gellung Warl is the new body created through Treaty and was officially established on 1 May. The Assembly continues as the democratically elected group of Traditional Owners representing and making decisions on behalf of First Peoples from across the state under Gellung Warl.
Meriki said it was a privilege to be elected to serve as Co-chair alongside Djaran. Meriki represents the Metro region of the Assembly.
“I’m grateful for my fellow Members’ support at this pivotal time for our people. We have walked a decade-long journey and negotiated and signed Australia’s first Treaty, now we must make sure that Treaty delivers real change for us,” Meriki said.
“Our first priority is working with our communities on how we can use Gellung Warl’s new powers and responsibilities to secure better outcomes across health, education and employment for our people.”
The first meeting on Dja Dja Wurrung Country comes after last month’s successful Treaty Elections, where participation grew on all measures with more First People standing as candidates, enrolling and voting in the elections.
Djaran said he was proud to be returning to the Assembly as the Reserved Seat representative for Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation.
“I want to thank Members for putting their trust in me as Co-chair. We’ve just had our third Treaty Elections and we’re really proud of the results. Our elections are non-compulsory, yet over 10,000 First Peoples enrolled for the elections, showing how deeply our people are committed to Treaty,” Djaran said.
“First Peoples are the experts on our own lives, we know what does and doesn’t work for our communities, and Treaty is how we make the most of our local knowledge to get better outcomes for our people.”
Gellung Warl commenced this week with a Three Fires Ceremony and sharing of culture hosted by Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners and attended by the newly elected Members, former members of the Assembly and the Elders’ Voice representatives. During the ceremony, cultural items were exchanged and Members stepped through the smoke of the three fires, symbolising the end of one chapter and beginning of the next.
